Industry reacts to news EU could implement anti-dumping duties

The Renewable Fuels Association and Growth Energy are reacting to news that the European Commission on Dec. 6 issued a general disclosure document containing a proposed ruling on the anti-dumping investigation of U.S. ethanol exports to Europe.

The associations said in a joint statement that they were continuing to cooperate with the commission’s investigation. “We are troubled by news that the commission is recommending a 9.6 percent anti-dumping duty to its Member States. We remain convinced that if all the facts are considered, the European Union will decide not to impose any antidumping duties on imports of ethanol produced in the United States.”

Anti-subsidy and anti-dumping investigations were initiated at the request of ePURE in November 2011. The European Producers Union of Renewable Ethanol alleges that U.S. ethanol was subsidized it had caused injury to the European biofuels industry, thanks to a surge of imports of U.S. ethanol in a short period of time. The main concern was that U.S. ethanol was benefiting from the U.S. Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit, or the 45-cent a gallon blenders credit, and then entering the EU. VEETC expired at the end of 2011.

Rob Vierhout, secretary general of ePURE, said in August that comments were being accepted on the anti-subsidy investigation and that hearings would be held between then and Dec. 25. The anti-dumping investigation was expected to wrap up in February 2013.